Receptacle-filling machine



March 27, 1928.

so ab 3b 1,664,002 c. w. STONE x-:T AL

RECEPTACLE FILLING MACHINE Filed Aug. 25, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheetfl March 27, 1928. 1,664,002

' C W STONE ET AL RECEPTACLE FILLING MACHINE Filed Aug. 25, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Mar. 27, `1928.

,UNITED PATENT QFFicE.

C-HARLESW. wenn, nnnrn nfBUMBAnGH, ANDJOHN man, yor nos ,ANGELEs, CALI- ronnm; sari) sfroNn assIGlNoR :ce SAID BUMBAUGH ANDSAI'D DAN.

Innenrumen-FILLING MACHINE.

, application inea August y25, 1924. .serial No'. 733,866. Y

Our inventionfrelates Vto, -a machineY lfor filling vcans or other r-ecep'tacleswith liquids, granular` or other material, and 1t has more especial reference to that class of dispensing machinesl in which receptacles may be lilled in uninterrupted continuity from a common container or reservoir.l 4,

)The object of our invention is toprovide an apparatus of this character yin whichthe tactorot time ,governs and controls the lillingof the cans or receptacles; in which the quantityofluid delivered .shall be automati-l cally Acontrolled 'with respect lto yeach individual receptacle; in which `the ,quantity to be delivered yto the receptacles continuously may he varied during the operation of lilling, whereby ,receptacles of dierent content-v capacji'ty' may bevfillechand in which the entire Villing-controllin'g mechanisn'r may be placed ininoperative .position without-interi tering with the other appartenant parts vof the machine. j l j Other objects will appear from the vspecification. following, in connection, with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a form offmeans Ifor carrying outthe ,principle of the invention, andin which Fig. 1 .'s a vertical sectional .elevation showing in the ,preferred 'embodiment' of the invention a can-filling means, a revoluble tanl: or reservoir from `which the supply for the cans is derived; cont-rol mechanism for the liquid and `regulating means for the control means for governing the quantity'which the control mechanism shall `deliver in a given or .predetermined period of time,and

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary .plan view Otan assembled device ,embodying .our invention.

The invention ,comprises broadly a fcom-binat-.ion of means actuable seriatiinfto accomplishtlie operation of the fluid controlling means, lirst, initially vto open same; second,

to hold same open for a .pre-determined length of time, and third, to closesan'ie when a can or receptacle has been supplied with a required quantity of fluid.

`The invention comprises also means, coniplementary to those recited, `for conducting the .fluid material into `the .receptacles to be lilled, without splashing, anda ymeans .whereby the entire,luidfcontrolling means may be set in inoperative or operativeposition.

In the 'accompanying drawings, the invention is shownlas consistingr cfa. sectional stationary main frame 1, and arevoluble frame 2, the main frame 1 forming a support torY and aroundL and upon which ltherevoluble frame isv movable, and the sectionsotA ther main frame 1 mounted upon aba-se or sole plate 3. A hollow base4,!constitutmg acenvtral part of the frame 1 isffastened to the ksole plate and forms a Supportfor the holsource of fluid supply, and to the top ofr which and abovegsaid support 8 is conjoined by a swivel connect-long with a complementary `pipe :10, liavin'ga nozzle r11, for discharging t-he fluid,y as .pointed out later. The hollow ,post ,7,'connected with and 'forming part Vof the track-.support 8, is ,movable in av vertical vplane'relative to said standpipe 9, and also relative tosaid pillarl 5, .byv a lever 12, having a bifurca'ted end 12 -conjoined by pivotal connection with the loottom of said' post, as shown. This lever -12 is t-u-lcru'med in .said hollow base unit 4 and extends beyond the frame sujiciently tar vto afford .a convenient purchase for the 4foot or hand in manipulating the lever 12 andthe means 13 for locking the lever in pcs'ition nism is ,place-d inan inoperativel state, du=ring whichtime no discharge of ylluid occurs. The movement. of the track support, however, does not interfere withthe `rota-tory motion of the reservoir.-

rllhe track support 8 is-su-pported, when in elevatedoperative position, by thelever 1Q and is .stationarily heldv against .fr-evolutionary movement thereby. When in inoperative position, fthe ltrack-support .8 rests upon Vthe is Iprovided with a central loo top of the pillar 5, and when in such posi-lr tion, the frame 2 is free to rotate independently of the support 8. The frame 2 is shown as consisting in th main of an annular fluid yreceiving and con-V taining tank or reservoir 15, provided with an annular bearing surface 16, which` rests and is operable upon a plurality of circumferentially arranged rollers '17, j ournaled upon the top of the frame 1, as shown. The frame 2 is also shown as being formed with a cylindrical portion 18, vertically disposed and co-operating with a similar portion 19,

on the stationary frame 1, in insuring steadi-V ness of the apparatus and reducing vibration. A Vdependent cylindrical part v2O is bolted or otherwise fastened to the cylindrical portion 18 and to this dependent part 2O is fixed in any suitable manner a worm gear 2l', which encircles the base unit 4 and with which a worm 22 is in mesh. This worm 22 is keyed or turned upon a. shaft 2.3, which is? set in motion by geared means, generally iiidicatedV at '24, Athrough which f the entire frame'2 isrevolved. The annular fluid containing and Vreceiving tank or reservoir 15 is. supplied with a quantity of fluid delivered thiough the nozzle 11 and the quantity .of

i fluid in the tank 15 is regulated by a valve 25, in the complementary pipe 10, which is connectedby a member withv the tank 15 for movement therewith and which is controlled by a float 26, through intermediate connecting members, generally shown at 270. Included in these members isa bar 27 O for obtaining a fixed position of the members 270, by which the height of the fluid. in the reservoir may be automatically regulated.

The tank is providedwith a plurality ofl equally distanced spouts 27, through which the fluid in the tank is discharged. Valves 28, operable relatively to seats 29 within said reservoir of tank 15, control the' passage ofthe fluid through said spouts 27. These valves`28, are mounted'ou the ends of stems 30, operating in guides 31, on the bottoni of the tank and ,exending through upper guides or bearing sleeves 32, ywhich thread and are secured inspaced Vc ros bars 33, bridging the tank 15. The tank 15 is covered by a plurality of plates 3 secured upon the tank between the cross-bars .33 andV generally to reduce the firer tension of ,the springs 34. These levers 36 are pivotally supported at their outer ends upon and in suitable bearingsV 37, which are adjustable yby threaded means 38,7 manually voperable by knurled means or heads 39 held in position by tension means or pawls 39. At their inner ends, these levers are sup'- ported upon rolling members or elements 40, which travel upon a track 41,`constituting an integral part of the support-8 andhaving varying planes, as pointed out presently,rfor effecting, first, the normal closed position of the valves; second, the gradual opening of the valves; third, themaintenanceof the f valves in open position, and fourth, the closing of the valves. y A Y yTo regulate the valves relativev to their respective seats 29, and insure uniformity of n s movement of each valve, the adjustable means 38 is provided. The manipulation `of the threaded means 38 moves the levers v36 with respect to ythe valve stems V30 and, according toi-the direction of movement of the levers 36 and the"position'of thel fulcruin connection between them, and the stems, kis

the extent of inovement of the valves determined.V In this manner, each of the valves has an independent adjustment by whichv a uniform control of the dischargeor feed of the fluid from the tank or reservoirrmaybe assured, either while the machine is inoperative or during the operation of the same.

' The track 41 is shown as formed with sur faces A, 13 C` and D, Fig. 2, the. surface Ak andthe surface` C being in parallel planes,

but the surface C lyi-ngin a yhigher elevation l than the surface A. These surfaces A and C are connected bythe inclinedfway B, and the surfaces C and A are connected by a declined way D, all for the purposes now appearing. The rolling members or ele.-`

ments 40, travel with the levers 36 upon the track 41, .and initially upon the surface A' of saine. yDuring 'such'.travel'of the inembers 40, the valves' 28 are held upon their seats 29, and closed'by the springs 34, and thespouts 27 are obviously4 also closed. lVhen, during the revolution of the tank 15, with the frame 2, therolling members 40 are caused to ascend the incline B ofthe l f track 41, the levers 36, are gradually lifted', such lifting continuing until the surface B has been traversed and the rolling members.

are moved upon the higher horizontal plane C of the track. The liftingA movement of the valves-28 occurs concurrentlywith the movement of the stems 30 to which they are attached and the stems are carried upwardly or permitted to move downwardly by said levers 36. The full yopen ,position `of the valves 28 is maintainedby the surface C for a definite length of time determinable by the extent ofsuch. surface and the speed with which the levers 36 travel over' such surfacefand for purposes ofthis invention,

lil (l the extent of the surface C is such that the quantity o'li luid passingthrough the valvecontrolled spout-s 27 during the traverseor' 'be rolling members 4() over such surface C is just sufficient to meet a delinite or'given measure. It will be seen that the operation of the valve-stein-controlling levers is dependent entirely upon Vthe position of the track 41, with respect to thei'ro'l'ling niembe'rs 40. Then in the position indicatedv inf Fig. 1, the rolling' members 40 are 'operative upon the track 41, and vthe valves will answer in movement accordingl to the various planes over which the rolling '1nelnbers40 travel. Then the support 8, with :its track 41, is loweredinto engagement with and upon the top of the pillar 5, the revolution of the vabre-operating,` leversBG, with the revolu'ble frame 2. will occur without being 'affected by the track 41. By the lever 12, the trac-k 41, may be adjusted vertically between the limits of its movement and held in such position. The ladjustabilityof this track 41, in the 'manner noted, vprovides `for arregulation of the valves 28, that of the movement of said valves Arelativeito the outlets inthe reservoir-,in accordance with the supply desired discharge'dfrom the tank 15. This means, to wit, the movable track may regulate all-of the valve-movements, but-each individual valve-movement may 'be independently regulated at any time for accurately causing cans of varying capacities to be lilled. The means for adusting this valve movement has already been referred vto and described.

Cans or other receptacles 43 to be filled from the vtank are .positioned with ytheir 'mouths 44 in register with the vspouts 27 lon the tank. Between 'the openings or fmouths 44 fin theV cans 43, and the spouts 27, there -is necessarily a. space, which, even "with-accurate'ly alined receptacles, would permit leakage and splashing' el the fluid leaving the tank 15. To preventlhis` we have rprovided funnels'lor other devices 45,-which tit over or telescope on said" spouts 27 and .to which A,are

pivot-ally attached operating levers'46, 'ulcrumed'in suitablebearlngs 47, on the underside of the tank r15. The levers 46 are under influence ot springs 48 tending normallyto hold said levers 46 and tunnels 45 retracted with vrespect to `the spouts 27,and they areV movement ot the tunnels relatively tothe spouts 27 Vis accomplished by the movement ot the levers 46 and such downward movement projects the tunnels 45 into 'the cans or receptacles 43 Yand holds them in that positfion until the regulated quantity of fluid zhas been supplied. lith vthe closing of the valves 28, by the means stated, the simultaneous withdrawal of the tunnels 45, from the cans or receptacles is elccted by the springs 48 which Vexert themselves against the,funnel-carrying 'levers 46 when the eittensions 'or tingers 49 yare carried by the revolif'ingritank off the planes F andl G of the track 50. The ytrack 5() is supported and held in place'by vsuitable standards, such as shown at 51, bolted or `othenwise fastened to an 'annular support or Astationary table 52, `upon which are .journaled a plurality otcircuin- -ferentially arranged `taper rollers or' roller bearings 58, 'for supporting' an'annular, horizontally disposed apron `54, upon which the cans or receptacles 48, are carried bythev revolving 'frame 2, duringvthe filling thereof by the.y means outlined. A The apron l54 Tis fastened at'the inside Ithereof to a 'circular bracket 55, which is supported 'by a plurality rightiangles =to the hangers -56 andv prevent the cans from shifting' duringF the travel and filling of them` The-cans 43 arealso steadied during ytheir travel, by ythe 'bracket f55 and a guard 59,attached Vto the stationary table 52 and, -as seen, is fined, while the bracket 55, ,and the guide'arm 58 are revoluble.

At `a point in the revolutionary travel gol `the machine yand thecans or receptacles carried thereon, land after the filling of the cans in continuous succession has been completed, the removal of the cans from the apron 54is e'llected ina continuous automatic manner. The Aguard and guide 59, at that point inthe revolutionary travel of the 'frame l2,1 where 4the rlilling oll avcan has been completed, continues at a tangent to Vthe periphery ot the apron `54andterminates slightly inwardly ol aprojecting ledge GO formed on a table 61, which isinsubstantially the. same plane as the apron'54 and which has its entrant edge 62curv`ed in correspondence with the peripheral edge'ot the apron. The table 6-1 is :providedwitha ledge which exten'dsover the apron V'and vterminates near the circular bracket 55. This ledge 63 co-operates with the-ledge 60 m-,Qindmg and lholdmgr the cansV 43 upon thettablelejthesurface 6470i which is, fas fstated, 'in substantially the. 'same parallel 4.plane as the apron, whereby the cans llil may be moved upon this table in continuous manner While being carried along by the apron 54C and arms 58. The engagement of the cans 43 'With the apron and by the arms 58, continues until the cans have been moved entirely upon the table 6l. The arms 58, then proceeding in their revolutionary travel with the tank 15, escape from Ybetween the CrlIlS.

IVhat We claim, is:

.1. In a machine for filling .receptacles vith fluids, the combination with a rotatable fluid containing reservoir having a plurality of outlets, and a receptacle supporting device movable with said reservoir, of valves to open and close said outlets, valve operating devices movable with said reservoir, a circular cam track for operating said valve operating devices, and a lever selectively operable to move said cam track into or out of engagement with said valve operating devices. 2. In a machine for filling receptacles with fluids the. combination with a rotatable fluid containing reservoir having a plurality of discharge openingsand a receptacle supporting meansy movable with said reservoir, of valves normally closing` said openings, actuating means for said valves to open same and permit a predetermined quantity of fluid to discharge from said reservoir, and means to control said actuating means to vary tlie movement of said valves relatively to said openings and thereby vary the predetermined quantity of fluid to be discharged from said reservoir.y v 3. In acan filling machine, a main frame, a track formed With a plurality of planes varying in elevation, a circularly movable reservoir support-ed upon said frame, means to regulate the quantity of fluid delivered to and contained Within said reservoir, valves Within said reservoir normally closing said outlets, levers to which said valves are connected operable upon said track, and means for varying the fulcrum of said levers to vary the relative extent of' movement of said valves.

4l.V In a can filling machine, a main frame, a track formed with planes varying in .ele-

vation, a. circularly movable reservoir sup# to maintain constant` Within said reservoir a definite level of fluid, a track formed with varying elevations, levers fulcrumed on said .reservoir and having rollers contacting with said track, valves closing said outlets and connected with said levers, and means for movingV said levers relative to the point of connection With said valves to regulate the extent of' movement of' said valves.

7. In a can Vfilling machine, a 'rotatable reservoir having a'plurality of outlets, means for supplying afluid to said reservoir, means to maintain constant Within said ,reservoir a definite level of fluid, atrack form-ed WithV various elevations, a plurality of levers-fulcrumed. upon vsaid reservoiry and having rollers contacting With said track, a plurality of valves Within said reservoir normally closing said outlets and connected With'said levers and means for chanOinOthe fulcrum of each lever to regulate the extent of move-- ment of each valve relative toith-e outlets and control thereby the amount of fluid` discharged from the reservoir. j

8. In a can filling machine, a rotatable reservoir having a plurality of outlets, a track having various elevationssaid track being vertically adjustable, means to support said track in position of adjustment, a l plurality of valves normally .closing -said outlets, leversfulcrumed upon Y said reservoir `having rollers contacting-With said track to operate` said valves, said valves connected with said levers, andmeans for varying the fulcrum ofV eaclilever` tocontrolthe extent of movement of said valves. f 1

9. In a can filling machine, a rotatable res f ervoir having a plurality Lof ou`tlets,.le\`1ers fulcrunied` upon said reservoir, vvalves normally closing said outlets and connected with said levers, andalever operating track having varying surface elevations, a lever for moving said track -in Aengaggpmeiit with 'said levers, vand means for. locking said lever in moved position.:, i

v10. In a Ycan 'filling machine, a rotatable reservoir having a Vplurality of outlets, levers fulcrumed upon said reservoir, valves nor-` mally closing said outlets and connected with said levers, a track having varying surtace'elevations, means for moving said track into engagement with said levers whereby said levers are operated duringvtheir rotatory travel, and means for moving vsaid levers relative to said valves to vary the extent to which said valves may move.

11. In a can filling machine, a rotatable reservoir for a fluid having a plurality of outlets, levers fulcrumed upon said reservvoir, valves seated upon said outlets and connected with said levers, means periodically operating said levers to permit a gravita- 10 tional discharge of a determinate quantity of fluid from said reservoir in a predetermined length of time, comprising a track having varying surface elevations, means for adjusting said track relative to said levers to control their operation, and means for adjusting said levers to control the extent of movement of said valves.

In testimony whereof We 4have set our hands.

CHARLES W. STONE.

n. n. BUMBAUGH. JOHN DAN. 

